Network function virtualisation

ABSTRACT

Example implementations relate to a data processing method for monitoring at least one performance metric associated with a characteristic of a virtual network function; the method comprising instantiating the virtual network function, monitoring said at least one performance metric associated with the characteristic of the virtual network function; and adapting allocated resources supporting the virtual network function according to said monitoring.

In non-virtualised networks, network functions (NFs) are implemented asa combination of vendor specific software and hardware, which can bereferred to as network nodes or network elements. The network functionscan be connected or chained in a certain manner to achieve a desiredoverall functionality or service. Non-virtualised networks are definedby statically combining network functions in a way that can be expressedas a NF forwarding graph or NF set construct. In contrast, NetworkFunction Virtualisation (NFV) enables dynamic methods rather than juststatic ones to be used in constructing and managing the network functiongraphs or sets. It will be appreciated that the term virtualisationmeans that a network function and part of the infrastructure areimplemented in software.

Network function virtualization provides a number of alternative waysfor provisioning services, which comprise, for example, decouplingsoftware from hardware, which allows the evolution of each to progressindependently of one another, flexible network function deployment,which facilitates allocation and reallocation of infrastructureresources to perform different functions at different times, and dynamicoperation that follows from decomposing the network functions intoinstantiable software components that provide greater flexibility toscale virtual network function performance with selected levels ofgranularity.

Given the dynamic nature of a network using network functionvirtualisation, it is increasingly challenging to derive performancemetrics associated with a network, a NF graph or set construction or avirtualized network function, especially multiple virtualized networkfunctions.

Example implementations will now be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a Network Function Virtualisation system according toexample implementations;

FIG. 2 illustrates a graph of end-to-end network services according toexample implementations;

FIG. 3A depicts the graph of FIG. 2 with Virtual Network Functions andnested forwarding graphs according to example implementations;

FIG. 3B shows monitoring a number of Virtual Network functions accordingto example implementations;

FIG. 3C illustrates monitoring a number of Virtual Network functionsaccording to example implementations;

FIG. 3D depicts performance monitoring relative to classes of serviceaccording to example implementations;

FIG. 4 shows a number of data structures for realising quality or classof service monitoring according to example implementations;

FIG. 5 illustrates machine readable storage according to exampleimplementations; and

FIG. 6 depicts machine-readable storage storing machine-executableinstructions according to example implementations.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a schematic view of Network FunctionVirtualisation (NFV) framework 100 according to an exampleimplementation. The framework 100 comprises three working domains thatare one or more than one Virtualised Network Function (VNF) 102, aNetwork Function Virtualisation Infrastructure (NFVI) 104 and a NetworkFunction Virtualisation Management and Orchestration (MANO) entity 106.

The one or more than one VNF 102 provides a software implementation of anetwork function that is capable of running over the NFVI 104. In theillustrated implementation, a number of VNFs 102-1 to 102-5 are shown.

The NFVI 104 provides the physical resources for supporting or executingthe one or more than one VNFs 102-1 to 102-5. The NFVI 104 compriseshardware resources 104-1, virtualisation resources 104-2 and virtualresources 104-3. The hardware resources 104-1 can comprise computerresources 107, storage resources 108 and network resources 110. Thecompute resources 107 can comprise one or more than one processor (notshown). The storage resources 108 can comprise any form of volatileand/or non-volatile storage. The network resources 110 can comprisenetwork communication resources for communicating with one or more thanone other network node or network element. The virtualisation resources104-2 can comprise, for example, a hypervisor that is arranged topresent the hardware resources 104-1 as the above virtual resources104-3. The virtual resources 104-3 can comprise virtual computeresources 112, virtual storage resources 114 and virtual networkresources 116. The virtual compute resources 112 can comprise one ormore than one virtual processor (not shown). The virtual storageresources 114 can comprise or present any form of virtual volatileand/or virtual non-volatile storage. The virtual network resources 110can comprise virtual network communication resources for communicatingwith one or more than one other network node or network element.

The MANO entity 106 facilitates orchestration and life cycle managementof at least one, or both, of the physical and software resources thatsupport the infrastructure virtualisation.

Also shown is a Quality of Service (QoS) monitor 118. The QoS monitor118 can be located within, or form part of, the MANO 106 or the NFVI104, or be a standalone entity, or be, or form part of, some othernetwork entity. The QoS monitor 118 is arranged to monitor the qualityof service provided by one or more than one VNF 102-1 to 102-5, takenjointly and severally in any and all permutations. The QoS monitor 118can comprise at least one, or both, of software and hardware configuredto monitor the quality of service provided by the one or more than oneVNF 102-1 to 102-5. The VNFs 102-1 to 102-5 can be grouped to form aVirtual Network Function Forwarding Graph (VNF-FG) or a Virtual NetworkFunction Set. A VNF-FG refers to a number of VNFs having a connectivitythat matters or is specified whereas a VNF Set refers to a number ofVNFs having a connectivity that does not matter or is not specified.

A Virtual Network Forwarding Graph or Virtual Network Function Set canbe used to provide a service chain. A service chain is a linked group ofVirtual Network Functions. For example, a service chain might comprise aplurality of Virtual Network Functions such as, for example, a Firewall,an Intrusion Detection System, Decryption etc., or a Wifi Router,Wireless Checking and Deep Packet Inspection.

Quality of Service data 120 can be forwarded from the one or more thanone VNFs 102-1 to 102-5 to the QoS monitor 118. The QoS data 120 can besent by the one or more than one of the VNFs 102-1 to 102-5 individuallyor collectively. For example, a given VNF such as the first VNF 102-1may send associated QoS data 122 associated with the performance of thefirst VNF 102-1 to the QoS monitor 118. Furthermore, two or more VNFssuch as, for example, the fourth VNF 102-4 and the fifth VNF 102-5 cansend respective QoS data 124 and 126 as collective QoS data 128. Thecollective QoS data 128 can represent the mere collation of therespective QoS 124 and 126, or can represent QoS data derived from therespective QoS data 124 and 126.

Alternatively, or additionally, QoS data 130 can be forwarded to the QoSmonitor 118 from the one or more than one virtual resources 112, 114,118 or the virtualisation layer 104-2.

The QoS monitor 118, or some other entity, can be responsive to thereceived QoS data. For example, example implementations can be realisedin which the resources allocated to one or more than one VNF are variedin response to the QoS data. The variation may comprise allocating moreresources or fewer to one VNF, either alone or in conjunction withallocating more or fewer resources to a further VNF. The allocatedresources can be increased, for example, if the measured QoS dataindicates that a QoS associated with a respective VNF is unacceptablesuch as, for example, if the determined QoS is at, or below, apredetermined lower QoS threshold. Alternatively, or additionally,allocated resources can be decreased, for example, if the measured QoSdata indicates that a QoS associated with a respective VNF isunacceptable such as, for example, if the measured QoS is at, or above,a predetermined upper QoS threshold. Having made a determinationregarding resources associated with one or more than one VNF, the QoSmonitor 118 can instruct the virtualisation layer, such as, for example,a hypervisor associated with such a layer, to give effect to any suchdetermination.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a view 200 of an end-to-end networkservice 202 that can be realised using one or more than one of the VNFs102-1 to 102-5. The end-to-end network service 202 is expressed in FIG.2 as a VNF Forwarding Graph (VNF-FG). The end-to-end network service canbe any network service such as, for example, one or more than one ofmobile voice/data, Internet access, a virtual private network etc. Theend-to-end network service 202 is provided between at least a pair ofend points 204 and 206. The end-to-end network service 202 illustratedcomprises three virtual network functions 208 to 212. The end points 204and 206 as well as the VNFs 208 to 212, are supported, orinterconnected, using one or more than one NFVI. In the example depictedin FIG. 2, first 214, second 216 and third 218 NFVI are provided.However, example implementations can be realised in which the NFVI usedto support the VNFs 208 to 212 is a single instance of a NFVI such asthe NFVI 104.

It will be appreciated that the VNFs 208 to 212 and end points 204 and206 are represented as nodes and correspond to devices, applications,physical and virtual software, physical and virtual hardware. The nodescan be connected by logical links 220 to 226. The logical links can beat least one or more of unidirectional, bidirectional, multicast orbroadcast taken jointly and severally in any and all permutations. Thelogical connections are represented by dashed lines. The logical links220 to 226 can be realised using one or more than one physicalconnections such as, for example the physical connections 228 to 240depicted.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a view 300 of an end-to-end networkservice 302. The end-to-end network service 302 is established between,or comprises, first 304 and second 306 end points. The first 304 andsecond 306 end points are virtually coupled, that is, are logicallyconnected or linked, via a plurality of VNFs 308 to 316. The VNFs 308 to316 can correspond to the above described VNFs 102-1 to 102-5. It can beseen that the VNFs 308 to 316 form a VNF-FG 318. A number of the VNFs308 to 316 can be arranged for form a nested VNF-FG 320 such as VNFs 310to 314.

The VNFs 308 to 316 are in communication with, or are supported by, avirtualisation layer 322. The virtualisation layer 322 can be an exampleof the above described virtualisation layer 104-2. As described abovewith reference to FIG. 1, the virtualisation layer 322 is supported, orprovided, using respective physical resources in the form hardwareresources 324. The hardware resources 324 can be an example of the abovedescribed hardware resources 104-1. The hardware resources can becoupled using respective physical links 326 to 338. The end points 304and 306 and the VNFs 308 to 316 are coupled via respective logical links340 to 352. The VNFs 308 to 316 are in communication with, or coupledto, the virtualisation layer 322 via respective logical links 354 to364. Logical links 365 to 369 can also be established between thehardware resources 324 and the VNFs 308 to 316.

One or more than one of the VNFs can have associated QoS data. In theexample depicted, the VNFs 308 to 316 each have respective QoS data 370to 378. The QoS data 370A to 378 can be sent to the virtualisation layer322 for subsequent forwarding to, or processing by, a QoS monitor 380.The QoS monitor 380 can be an example of the above described QoS monitor118 and can take corresponding actions and make correspondingdeterminations regarding resources allocated to the one or more than oneVNF. The QoS data 370 to 378 can be selectively sent to thevirtualisation layer 322 individually, or grouped. For example,implementations can be realised in which the nested VNF-FG 320 forwards,at least one, or both, of the individual QoS data 372 to 376 of the VNFs310 to 314, or a single QoS data (not shown) that is derived from one ormore than one of the QoS data 372 to 376 taken jointly and severally inany and all permutations.

Referring to FIG. 3B, there is shown a view 300B of a system 301B forperformance monitoring according to example implementations. The system301B can be an example implementation of the foregoing systems. Thesystem 301B comprises a hypervisor 302B. The hypervisor 302B can be anexample implementation of the above described virtualisation layer104-2. The hypervisor 302B is arranged to support one or more than onevirtual machine. In the example shown, a number of virtual machines 304Bto 310B are supported by the hypervisor 302B. The example implementationdepicts comprises N virtual machines 304B to 310B, where N is ≥1. One ormore than one virtual machine of the N virtual machines 304B to 310B cansupport one or more than one respective Virtual Network Function. In theexample depicted, each of virtual machines 306B to 310B support arespective Virtual Network Function 314B to 318B. One or more than oneVirtual Network Function 314B to 318B can have respective performancedata or quality of service data. In the example implementation shown,three of the Virtual Network Functions 314B to 318B have respectiveperformance data or quality of service data 320B to 324B.

One of the virtual machines 304B comprises an agent or monitor 312B. Theagent or monitor 312B is arranged to assess the performance of one ormore than one of the Virtual Network Functions 314B to 318B. The monitor312B is able to collate or otherwise access data relating to one or moreof the Virtual Network Functions 314B to 318B via the hypervisor 302B.The hypervisor 302B provides an interface via which such data relatingto one or more of the Virtual Network Functions 314B to 318B can beaccessed. Example implementations can be realised in which the interfaceis a Libvirt interface. In the example implementation depicted, a numbersuch interfaces 326B to 332B are provided. One or more than one suchinterface can be provided per virtual machine 304B to 310B. The agent ormonitor 312B can request the performance or quality of service data 320Bto 324B of any of the Virtual Network Functions 314B to 318B. Forexample, the agent or monitor 312B can request performance data orquality of service data 320B associated with the first Virtual NetworkFunction 314B. The monitor or agent 312B can request any of performancedata or quality of service data 320B to 324B taken jointly and severallyin any and all permutations.

The agent or monitor 312B, having obtained such performance data orquality of service data 320B to 324B, can assess the performance of, orquality of service provided by, one or more than one of the VirtualNetwork Functions 314B to 318B. Assessing the performance of, or qualityof service provided by, one or more than one of the Virtual NetworkFunctions 314B to 318B can be performed using the performance data, orquality of service data, 320B to 324B taken jointly and severally in anyand all permutations.

For example, the agent or monitor 312B may request the hypervisor 302Bto provide performance data, or quality of service data, associated withthe Virtual Network Function 314B hosted by the respective virtualmachine 306B. The agent or monitor 312B can assess the performance data,or quality of service data, 320B against a criterion or criteria todetermine whether or not the Virtual Network Function 314B is performingacceptably. If the agent or monitor 312B determines that the VirtualNetwork Function 314B is performing acceptably, the agent or monitor312B can resume monitoring the Virtual Network Function 314B, one ormore than one of the other Virtual Network Functions 316B to 318B orperform some other task. If the agent or monitor 312B determines thatthe Virtual Network Function is performing unacceptably, the agent ormonitor 312B can instruct the hypervisor 302B, via the interface 326B,to vary the resources available to the Virtual Network Function 314B.The resources allocated by the hypervisor 302B, or requested to bevaried by the agent or monitor 312B, will be resources associated withthe performance data, or quality of service data, 320A being deemedunacceptable.

Example implementations can be realised in which two or more of theVirtual Network Functions 314B to 318B cooperate, or are otherwiseoperated together, such as, for example, in parallel or sequentially. Asindicated above, multiple Virtual Network Functions cooperating, orotherwise operating together, form a Virtual Network Function ForwardingGraph 334B. The Virtual Network Function Forwarding Graph 334B can havean associated performance criterion or associated performance criteria.Suitably, the agent or monitor 312B can request performance data, orquality of service data, from two or more Virtual Network Functionsconstituting the Virtual Network Function Forwarding Graph 3334B andassess the performance data, or quality of service data, against acriterion or criteria to determine whether or not the Virtual NetworkFunction Forwarding Graph 334B is performing acceptably. If the agent ormonitor 312B determines that the Virtual Network Function ForwardingGraph 334B is performing acceptably, the agent or monitor 312B canresume monitoring the Virtual Network Function 314B, one or more thanone of the other Virtual Network Functions 316B to 318B or perform someother task. If the agent or monitor 312B determines that the VirtualNetwork Function Forwarding Graph 334B is performing unacceptably, theagent or monitor 312B can instruct the hypervisor 302B, via theinterface 326B, to vary the resources available to the Virtual NetworkFunction Forwarding Graph 334B. The resources allocated by thehypervisor 302B, or requested to be varied by the agent or monitor 312B,will be resources associated with the performance data, or quality ofservice data, of the Virtual Network Function Forwarding Graph 334Bbeing unacceptable.

In the example depicted, the Virtual Network Function Forwarding Graph334B comprises two Virtual Network Functions 314B and 316B. Theperformance data, or quality of service data, 320B and 322B of one, orboth, of the Virtual Network Functions 314B and 316B can be used jointlyor severally in determining whether or not the Virtual Network FunctionForwarding Graph 334B is performing acceptably or unacceptably asmeasured against a respective criterion or against respective criteria.

Although the example implementation depicted shows the Virtual NetworkFunction Forwarding Graph 334B as comprising two Virtual NetworkFunctions 314B and 316B, example implementations can be realised inwhich the Virtual Network Function Forwarding Graph 3334B comprises someother number of Virtual Network Functions of any one or more than oneavailable Virtual Network Function taken jointly and severally in anyand all permutations. Furthermore, although the Virtual Network FunctionForwarding Graph 334B has been illustrated as comprising Virtual NetworkFunctions 314B and 316B supported by respective virtual machines 306Band 308B, example implementations can be realised in which the VirtualNetwork Function Forwarding Graph 334B comprises two or more VirtualNetwork Functions supported by at least one or more than one virtualmachine. Therefore, example implementations can be realised in which theVirtual Network Function Forwarding Graph 334B comprises a plurality ofVirtual Network Functions supported by the same virtual machine. Exampleimplementations can be realised in which the a Virtual Network FunctionForwarding Graph comprises Virtual Network Functions that are supportedby one or more than one virtual machine.

Referring to FIG. 3C, there is shown a view 300C of an alternative, oradditional, example implementation of a virtual machine 302C hosting arespective Virtual Network Function 304C having associated performancedata, or quality of service data, 306C. The virtual machine 302C alsocomprises an agent or monitor 308C. The agent or monitor 308C isoperable to monitor the performance data, or quality of service data,306C to determine whether or not it is acceptable. If the performancedata, or quality of service data, 306C is acceptable, the agent ormonitor 308C continues monitoring. If the performance data, or qualityof service data, 306C is unacceptable, the agent or monitor 308C canrequest further resources from the hypervisor 310C via a respectivehypervisor interface 312C. If the agent or monitor 308C determines thatthe Virtual Network Function 304C is performing unacceptably, the agentor monitor 308C can instruct the hypervisor 310C, via a hypervisorinterface 312C, to vary the resources available to the Virtual NetworkFunction 304C. The resources allocated by the hypervisor 310C, orrequested to be varied by the agent or monitor 308C, will be resourcesassociated with the performance data, or quality of service data, thatwas deemed to be unacceptable.

Referring still to FIG. 3C, there is shown a still further analternative, or additional, example implementation of a virtual machine302C′. The still further virtual machine 302C′ hosts a plurality ofrespective Virtual Network Functions, such as for example, the twoVirtual Network Functions 304C and 304C′ shown. One or more of theplurality of Virtual Network Functions can form a respective VirtualNetwork Function Forwarding Graph 305C′. One or more than one of theVirtual Network Functions 304C and 304C′ has respective performancedata, or quality of service data, 306C. In the example show, each of theplurality of Virtual Network Functions 304C and 304C′ has respectivedata, or quality of service data, 306C and 306C′.

The virtual machine 302C′ also comprises an agent or monitor 308C′. Theagent or monitor 308C′ is operable to monitor the performance data, orquality of service data, 306C and 306C′ to determine whether or not itis acceptable. If the performance data, or quality of service data, 306Cand 306C′ is acceptable, the agent or monitor 308C′ continuesmonitoring. If the performance data, or quality of service data, 306Cand 306C′ is unacceptable, the agent or monitor 308C′ can requestfurther resources from the hypervisor 310C via a respective hypervisorinterface 312C′. If the agent or monitor 308C′ determines that theVirtual Network Function Forwarding Graph 305 is performingunacceptably, the agent or monitor 308C′ can instruct the hypervisor310C, via a hypervisor interface 312C′, to vary the resources availableto the Virtual Network Function Forwarding Graph 305C′. The resourcesallocated by the hypervisor 310C, or requested to be varied by the agentor monitor 308C′, will be resources associated with the performancedata, or quality of service data, that was deemed to be unacceptable.

At least one, or both, of the virtual machines 302C and 302C′ can be animplementation of any one or more than one, or all, of the abovedescribed virtual machines 306B to 310B taken jointly and severally inany and all permutations.

Example implementations can be realised in which at least one, or both,of the performance data, or quality of service data, 320B to 324B isassociated with one or more than one flow. The flow can comprise one ormore than one packet in transit. The one or more than one packet cancomprise at least one data unit or element of a protocol layer such asfor example, a TCP/IP packet or a UDP packet. FIG. 3D, shows a view 300Dof a virtual machine 302D hosting at least one Virtual Network Function304D that supports a set of one or more than one flow. In the exampledepicted, the set of one or more than one flow comprises three flows306D to 310D. The flows 306D to 310D have associated performance data,or quality of service data. The flows 306D to 310D can have respectiveperformance data, or quality of service data, or common or combinedperformance data, or quality of service data, 312D. The virtual machine302D can be an example implementation of any virtual machine describedherein.

One or more than one of the flows 306D to 310D can originate from, or beto, an end point, or be from, or to, another Virtual Network Functionsuch as, for example, forming part of a service chain.

The performance data, or quality of service data, in any and allimplementations described herein can comprise data relating to flowperformance, network performance or any other performance metric. Forexample, the performance data can relates to at least one or more thanone of latency, jitter, bandwidth, throughput, packet loss, error rate,bandwidth-delay-product, packet loss etc. Alternatively, oradditionally, the performance metrics can relate to at least one, orboth, of hardware or software resources. Such hardware and softwareresources can comprise at least one or more than one of memoryallocations, buffer size, CPU time, number of calls of a predeterminedtype such as, for example, number of kernel calls, taken jointly orseverally in any and all permutations. Example implementations canprovide performance or quality of service data relating to apredetermined protocol or an aspect of a predetermined protocol layer.The predetermined protocol can comprise at least one or more than one ofan Internet layer protocol such as, for example, IP, IPv4, IPv6, ICMP,ICMPv6 etc., a link layer protocol such as, for example, TCP, UDP, DCCP,SCTP, RSVP, etc., or the like.

Therefore, example implementations can be realised in which theperformance data, or quality of service data, relates to at least one,or both of a protocol or an operating system.

If the performance data 312D shows, for example, that the latency of oneor more than one flow of the flows 306D to 310D is unacceptable due to,for example, a coding or decoding delay, a monitor such as, for example,monitor 118, 312B, 308C, 308C′ or some other monitor can request thehypervisor to make additional resources available to improve the codingor decoding speed with a view to reducing the delay.

Example implementations can be realised in which the performance data,or quality of service data, 312D is assessed by a monitor 314D. Theperformance data 312D is supplied to the monitor 314D via an interface313D. The performance data 312D can be accessed in response to anenquiry or request issued by the monitor 314D or some other entity, orin response to an agent (not shown) of, or associated with, the VirtualNetwork Function 304D, pushing or otherwise publishing the performancedata 312D to the monitor 314D.

The monitor 314D is an example implementation of any of the monitors oragents described herein. The monitor 314D can comprise a comparator316D. The comparator 316D is arranged to compare the performance data312D with a set of data 318D. Example implementations can be realised inwhich the set of data 318D represents a plurality of classes of serviceassociated with one or more than one of the flows 306D to 310D takenjointly and severally in any and all permutations. In the exampleimplementation depicted, the plurality of classes of service comprise anintermediate performance level 320D, a higher performance level 322D anda lower performance level 324D. Although the example implementationdepicted comprises three performance levels, examples can be realisedthat comprise two or more than two performance levels. The set of data318D can represent, for example, varying levels of any metric associatedwith a flow described herein taken jointly or severally in any and allpermutations. For example, the set of data 318D can represent variouslevels of latency, jitter, bandwidth, throughput, packet loss, errorrate, bandwidth-delay-product, packet loss taken jointly and severallyin any and all permutations. Alternatively, or additionally, the set ofdata 318D can be associated with performance metrics relating to atleast one, or both, of hardware or software resources. Such hardware andsoftware resources can comprise at least one or more than one of memoryallocations, buffer size, CPU time, number of calls of a predeterminedtype such as, for example, number of kernel calls taken jointly orseverally in any and all permutations.

Having determined the current performance level into which theperformance data 312D fits, the comparator 316D interacts, via aninterface 326D of the hypervisor 328D, to vary the initial resources330D of at least one, or both, of hardware and software 332D, to addadditional resources 334D to the initial resources 330D to improve theperformance data 312D associated with the one or more than one flow 306Dto 310D.

Alternatively, having compared the current performance data 312D withthe set of data 318D, the comparator 316D interacts, via an interface326D of the hypervisor 328D, to vary the initial resources 330D of atleast one, or both, of hardware and software 332D, to remove resources334D from the initial resources 330D to reduce the performance data 312Dassociated with the one or more than one flow 306D to 310D. Therefore,example implementations are provided in which the comparator 316Dinteracts, via an interface 326D of the hypervisor 328D, to vary theinitial resources 330D of at least one, or both, of hardware andsoftware 332D, assigned to support at least one, or both, of the virtualmachine 302D or the at least one Virtual Network Function 304D runningon the virtual machine 302D.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a flowchart 400 according to anexample implementation. At 402, the MANO 106 provisions the resources ofthe NFVI 104 to provide one or more than one of the VNFs 102-1 to 102-5,VNFs 308 to 316 or any other VNF, taken jointly and severally, describedherein. The one or more than one VNF provides, at 404, performance data,or quality of service data, such as, for example, QoS data, to the QoSmonitor 118. At 406, the QoS monitor 118 receives the performance data,or the quality of service data, and makes a determination regarding theresources associated with the one or more than one VNF and instructs, at408, the virtualisation layer 104-2 to perform an action relating toresources associated with, or to be associated with, the one or morethan one VNF in response to that determination. The action can be, forexample, varying the resources associated with, or to be associatedwith, the one or more than one VNF 102-1 to 102-5. The variation cancomprise at least one or more than one of an increase or decrease in theresources associated with, or to be associated with, the one or morethan one VNF.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a view 500 of one or more than onedata structure associated with monitoring performance data of one ormore than one VNF and taking action in response to said monitoring. Afirst data structure 502 comprises at least one index 504 associatedwith a respective VNF or respective VNFs and one or more than onecharacteristic associated with the respective VNF or respective VNFs.The data structure 502 is an example implementation of a descriptordefining, or for controlling, at least a respective VNF. Exampleimplementations can be realised in which the one or more than onecharacteristic is a characteristics that can vary, or that is associatedwith, performance data of the respective VNF. The QoS monitor 118, inresponse to processing QoS data of, or associated with, the respectiveVNF, selects an action based on the one or more than one characteristicas the basis for instructing the virtualisation layer 104-2. Exampleimplementations can be realised in which a plurality of characteristicsis associated with the index 504 of the respective VNF. In the exampleimplementation shown, the index 504 of the respective VNF has fourassociated characteristics 506 to 512. Although the exampleimplementation shown has four characteristics 506 to 512,implementations are not limited thereto. Example implementations can berealised in one or some other number of characteristics are associatedwith the index 504 of the respective VNF. The respective VNF orrespective VNFs can be referred to as a VNF set.

Example implementations can be realised in which the one or more thanone characteristic associated with the respective VNF can be one or moreof the following taken jointly and severally in any and allpermutations:

Quality of Service/Quality of Service Class 506 defining, or associatedwith, a target QoS for the respective VNF or respective VNFs, that is,the VNF set;

Priority 508 defining an order or sequence in which one or more than VNFin a VNF set is changed;

Boundaries 510 defining the extent to which the respective VNF orrespective VNFs are allowed to change; and

Change response 512 defining the manner in which the respective VNF orrespective VNFs can be changed.

The Quality of Service/Quality of Service Class 506 can take a value ora class selected from a set of one or more than one possible value orclass 514 to 520 as stored within a QoS data structure 522. In theexample implementation depicted, N values or classes are shown.

The Priority 508 can take a value or a class selected from a set of oneor more than one possible value or class 524 to 530 as stored within aPriority data structure 532. In the example implementation depicted, Mvalues or classes are shown.

The Boundaries 510 can take a value or a class selected from a set ofone or more than one possible value or class 534 to 540 as stored withina Boundaries data structure 542. In the example implementation depicted,P values or classes are shown.

The Change Response 512 can take a value or a class selected from a setof one or more than one possible value or class 544 to 550 as storedwithin a Change Response data structure 552. In the exampleimplementation depicted, Q values or classes are shown.

In the foregoing, N, M, P and Q can be one or more than one. The valuesof N, M, P and Q can take the same value, or respective values, as anyone or more than one of any of N, M, P and Q.

The QoS monitor 118, in response to assessing the performance data ofthe respective VNF associated with the index 504, instructs thevirtualisation layer to adapt the resources associated with therespective VNF according to the at least one or more than onecharacteristics 506 to 512.

In the example implementation shown, the index 504 associated with arespective VNF has a Quality of Service/Class of “SLQ”, a Priority of“PRR”, a Boundary of “BS” and a Change Response of “CRT”. Therefore, ifthe VNF reports QoS data to the monitor 118 that falls outside of, ordoesn't meet or otherwise correlate well, with the defined SLQ, themonitor 118 instructs the virtualisation layer to change the resourcesassociated with the VNF in an order that respects the VNF's priority PRRrelative to the priorities of other VNFs. The change response CRTdefines the change in resources that is to be made in response to thedetermination by the monitor 118 regarding the QoS data. For example,the change response could allocate more virtual resources to the VNFsuch as, for example, at least one or more than one of virtual computeresources 112, virtual storage resources 114 or virtual networkresources 116. The change in resources is subject to the boundary BSassociated that change response CRT, that is, the amount of virtualresources additionally allocated to the VNF could be subject to one ormore than one limit. For example, the allocation of virtual resourcescould be subject to at least one, or both, of an upper and lower limitthat govern either the change in virtual resources allowed or the totalor absolute amount of the virtual resources allocated to the VNF.

Allocating virtual compute resources 112 can comprise at least one ofallocating processor utilization, processor time, processor clockfrequency, number of processors taken jointly and severally in any andall permutations.

Allocating virtual storage resources 114 can comprise at least one ofallocating an amount of storage, storage utilization, memory bus speed,memory speed taken jointly and severally in any and all permutations.

Allocating virtual network resources 116 can comprise at least one ofallocating channels, bandwidth, carrier frequency taken jointly andseverally in any and all permutations.

Example implementations can be realised in the form ofmachine-executable instructions arranged, when executed by a machine, toimplement any or all aspects, processes, activities or flowcharts, takenjointly and severally in any and all permutations, described in thisapplication. It will be appreciated that circuitry as used herein cancomprise one or more than one of physical electronic circuitry,software, hardware, application specific integrated circuitry or FPGAs,taken jointly or severally in any and all permutations.

Therefore, implementations also provide machine-readable storage storingsuch machine-executable instructions. The machine-readable storage cancomprise transitory or non-transitory machine-readable storage. Themachine can comprise one or more processors, or other circuitry, forexecuting the instructions or implementing the instructions.

Accordingly, referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a view 600 ofimplementations of at least one of machine-executable instructions ormachine-readable storage. FIG. 6 shows machine-readable storage 602. Themachine-readable storage 602 can be realised using any type of volatileor non-volatile storage such as, for example, memory, a ROM, RAM,EEPROM, or other electrical storage, or magnetic or optical storage orthe like. The machine-readable storage 602 can be transitory ornon-transitory. The machine-readable storage 602 storesmachine-executable instructions (MEIs) 604. The MEIs 604 compriseinstructions that are executable by a processor or other instructionexecution, or instruction implementation, circuitry 606. The processoror other circuitry 606 is responsive to executing or implementing theMEIs 604 to perform any and all activities, processes, operations ormethods described, illustrated and/or claimed in this application.Example implementations of the MEIs 604 comprise machine-executableinstructions 608 for implementing the flowchart of FIG. 4. Exampleimplementations provide MEIs 604 comprising MIEs 612 for instantiatingor provisioning one or more than one VNF, MEIs 614 for monitoringperformance data such as, for example, QoS data, of the one or more thanone VNF and MEIs 616 for adapting resources associated with the one ormore than one VNF in response to the performance data.

Example implementations can be realised according to the followingclauses:

Clause 1: A method to adapt at least one performance metric associatedwith a characteristic of a virtual network function; the methodcomprising instantiating the virtual network function, determining saidat least one performance metric associated with the characteristic ofthe virtual network function; and adapting allocated resourcessupporting the virtual network function according to said monitoring.

Clause 2: The method of clause 1, in which said adapting comprisesdetermining from a change control parameter the extent to which arespective changeable characteristic of the virtual network function canbe changed.

Clause 3: The method of any preceding clause, comprising determiningfrom a quality of service parameter a respective quality of serviceassociated with a respective characteristic of the virtual networkfunction.

Clause 4: The method of any preceding clause, in which said adaptingcomprises determining from boundary parameter the extent to which aresource associated with a respective boundary characteristic of thevirtual network function can be varied.

Clause 5: The method of any preceding clause, comprising determiningfrom a priority parameter a respective priority associated with aprioritizable characteristic of the virtual network function and inwhich said adapting is responsive to said respective priority to varyresources associated with the virtual network function.

Clause 6: The method of any preceding clause, in which the at least oneperformance metric associated with the characteristic of the virtualnetwork function comprises at least one of a quality of service metricor a class of service metric.

Clause 7: The method of clause 6, in which the class of service metricis selected from a plurality of class of service metrics.

Clause 8: The method of any preceding clause, in which the changecontrol parameter governs the extent to which one or more than one ofthe following respective changeable characteristics of the virtualnetwork function can be varied: the number of virtual machinessupporting the virtual network function; the amount of virtual storagesupporting the virtual network function; the number of virtual computingresources supporting the virtual network function; the amount of virtualnetworking resources supporting the virtual network function; the amountof physical storage supporting the virtual network function; the numberof physical computing resources supporting the virtual network function;the amount of physical networking resources supporting the virtualnetwork function.

Clause 9: The method of any preceding clause, comprising varying, inresponse to the change control parameter, one or more than one of thefollowing respective changeable characteristics of the virtual networkfunction to influence the performance of the virtual network functionrelative to the metric associated with the characteristic of the virtualnetwork function: the number of virtual machines supporting the virtualnetwork function; the amount of virtual storage supporting the virtualnetwork function; the number of virtual computing resources supportingthe virtual network function; the amount of virtual networking resourcessupporting the virtual network function; the amount of physical storagesupporting the virtual network function; the number of physicalcomputing resources supporting the virtual network function; or theamount of physical networking resources supporting the virtual networkfunction; wherein the foregoing are taken jointly and severally in anyand all permutations.

Clause 10: A descriptor for defining at least one virtual networkfunction, the descriptor comprising data associated with at least oneperformance metric of the at least one virtual network function.

Clause 11: Machine-executable instructions arranged, when executed orimplemented, to implement a method of any of clauses 1 to 9.

Clause 12: Machine-readable storage storing machine-executableinstructions of clause 11.

Clause 13: An apparatus to vary resources associated with a virtualnetwork function according to at least one performance metric associatedwith a characteristic of the virtual network function; the apparatuscircuitry to: instantiate the virtual network function, determine saidat least one performance metric associated with the characteristic ofthe virtual network function; and adapt allocated resources supportingthe virtual network function according to said monitoring.

Clause 14: The apparatus of clause 13, in which said circuitry to adaptcomprises circuitry to determine from a change control parameter theextent to which a respective changeable characteristic of the virtualnetwork function can be changed.

Clause 15: The apparatus of any of clauses 13 to 14, comprisingcircuitry to determine from a quality of service parameter a respectivequality of service associated with a respective characteristic of thevirtual network function.

Clause 16: The apparatus of any of clauses 13 to 15, in which saidcircuitry to adapt comprises circuitry to determine from boundaryparameter the extent to which a resource associated with a respectiveboundary characteristic of the virtual network function can be varied.

Clause 17: The apparatus of any of clauses 13 to 16, comprisingcircuitry to determine from a priority parameter a respective priorityassociated with a prioritizable characteristic of the virtual networkfunction and in which said circuitry to adapt is responsive to saidrespective priority to vary resources associated with the virtualnetwork function.

Clause 18: The apparatus of any of clauses 13 to 17, in which the atleast one performance metric associated with the characteristic of thevirtual network function comprises at least one of a quality of servicemetric or a class of service metric.

Clause 19: The apparatus of clause 18, in which the class of servicemetric is selected from a plurality of class of service metrics.

Clause 20: The apparatus of any preceding clause, in which the changecontrol parameter governs the extent to which one or more than one ofthe following respective changeable characteristics of the virtualnetwork function can be varied: the number of virtual machinessupporting the virtual network function; the amount of virtual storagesupporting the virtual network function; the number of virtual computingresources supporting the virtual network function; the amount of virtualnetworking resources supporting the virtual network function; the amountof physical storage supporting the virtual network function; the numberof physical computing resources supporting the virtual network function;the amount of physical networking resources supporting the virtualnetwork function.

Clause 21: The apparatus of any of clauses 13 to 20, comprisingcircuitry to vary, in response to the change control parameter, one ormore than one of the following respective changeable characteristics ofthe virtual network function to influence the performance of the virtualnetwork function relative to the metric associated with thecharacteristic of the virtual network function: the number of virtualmachines supporting the virtual network function; the amount of virtualstorage supporting the virtual network function; the number of virtualcomputing resources supporting the virtual network function; the amountof virtual networking resources supporting the virtual network function;the amount of physical storage supporting the virtual network function;the number of physical computing resources supporting the virtualnetwork function; or the amount of physical networking resourcessupporting the virtual network function; wherein the foregoing are takenjointly and severally in any and all permutations.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method to adapt resources associated withnetwork function virtualization in a network; the method comprising:instantiating the network function virtualization for facilitating avirtual network function (VNF); monitoring the VNF to determine one ormore performance metrics indicating performance of allocated resourcessupporting the VNF; and adapting the allocated resources supporting theVNF according to the one or more performance metrics from the monitoringwithin a boundary indicating an extent to which the VNF is allowed tochange; wherein the network function virtualization is based on acombination of the VNF, a network function virtualization infrastructure(NFVI), and a network function virtualization management andorchestration entity, and wherein the VNF is a virtualized function ofthe network capable of executing on the NFVI.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein adapting the allocated resources comprises determining a changecontrol parameter that indicates the extent to which a respectivechangeable characteristic of the VNF can be changed.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising determining a quality of service parameterthat indicates a quality of service associated with a respectivecharacteristic of the VNF.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein adaptingthe allocated resources comprises determining a boundary parameter thatindicates the extent to which a resource associated with the VNF can bevaried.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining apriority parameter that indicates a priority associated with aprioritizable characteristic of the VNF, and wherein adapting theallocated resources comprises varying resources associated with the VNFbased on the priority.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or moreperformance metrics comprises one or more of: a quality of servicemetric and a class of service metric.
 7. The method of claim 6, whereinthe class of service metric is selected from a plurality of class ofservice metrics.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the boundaryindicates one or more of the following changeable characteristics of theVNF: a number of virtual machines supporting the VNF; an amount ofvirtual storage supporting the VNF; a number of virtual computingresources supporting the VNF; an amount of virtual networking resourcessupporting the VNF; an amount of physical storage supporting the VNF; anumber of physical computing resources supporting the VNF; an amount ofphysical networking resources supporting the VNF.
 9. An apparatus toadapt resources associated with network function virtualization in anetwork; the apparatus comprising: a processor; a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium storing instructions, which whenexecuted by the processor causes the processor to perform a method, themethod comprising: instantiating the network function virtualization forfacilitating a virtual network function (VNF); monitoring the VNF todetermine one or more performance metrics indicating performance ofallocated resources supporting the VNF; and adapting the allocatedresources supporting the VNF according to the one or more performancemetrics from the monitoring within a boundary indicating an extent towhich the VNF is allowed to change; wherein the network functionvirtualization is based on a combination of the VNF, a network functionvirtualization infrastructure (NFVI), and a network functionvirtualization management and orchestration entity, and wherein the VNFis a virtualized function of the network capable of executing on theNFVI.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein adapting the allocatedresources comprises determining a change control parameter thatindicates the extent to which a respective changeable characteristic ofthe VNF can be changed.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the methodfurther comprises determining a quality of service parameter thatindicates a quality of service associated with a respectivecharacteristic of the VNF.
 12. The apparatus of claim 9, whereinadapting the allocated resources comprises determining a boundaryparameter that indicates the extent to which a resource associated withthe VNF can be varied.
 13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the methodfurther comprises determining a priority parameter that indicates apriority associated with a prioritizable characteristic of the VNF, andwherein adapting the allocated resources comprises varying resourcesassociated with the VNF.
 14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the oneor more performance metrics comprises one or more of: a quality ofservice metric and a class of service metric.
 15. The apparatus of claim14, wherein the class of service metric is selected from a plurality ofclass of service metrics.
 16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein theboundary indicates one or more of the following changeablecharacteristics of the VNF: a number of virtual machines supporting theVNF; an amount of virtual storage supporting the VNF; a number ofvirtual computing resources supporting the VNF; an amount of virtualnetworking resources supporting the VNF; an amount of physical storagesupporting the VNF; a number of physical computing resources supportingthe VNF; an amount of physical networking resources supporting the VNF.17. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storinginstructions that when executed by a computing system cause thecomputing system to perform a method, the method comprising:instantiating the network function virtualization for facilitating avirtual network function (VNF); monitoring the VNF to determine one ormore performance metrics indicating performance of allocated resourcessupporting the VNF; and adapting the allocated resources supporting theVNF according to the one or more performance metrics from the monitoringwithin a boundary indicating an extent to which the VNF is allowed tochange; wherein the network function virtualization is based on acombination of the VNF, a network function virtualization infrastructure(NFVI), and a network function virtualization management andorchestration entity, and wherein the VNF is a virtualized function ofthe network capable of executing on the NFVI.
 18. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein adapting theallocated resources comprises determining a change control parameterthat indicates the extent to which a respective changeablecharacteristic of the VNF can be changed.
 19. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the method furthercomprises determining a quality of service parameter that indicates aquality of service associated with a respective characteristic of theVNF.
 20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim17, wherein the method further comprises determining a priorityparameter that indicates a priority associated with a prioritizablecharacteristic of the VNF, and wherein adapting the allocated resourcescomprises varying resources associated with the VNF.